Distributed Biosignal Sensors for Local Signal Quality

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biosignal measurement devices often fail to provide a comprehensive grasp of diverse biosignals due to limited attachment points, leading to increased user stress and difficulty in obtaining suitable waveforms for analysis.

Innovation Solution

A biosignal measurement device with biopotential and bioinformation acquiring parts attached at separate portions of the user, including biopotential sensors on the auricle, head, shoulder, and back, and bioinformation sensors on the neck, capable of measuring electroencephalograms, electrocardiograms, electromyograms, blood pressure, plasma glucose, pulse, and body surface temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple biosignal measurement functions are integrated into a single device attached at one location, then the device can comprehensively measure diverse biosignals, but the device complexity and weight increase, causing increased user stress and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device is segmented into multiple independent measurement units, each capable of measuring specific biosignals. These units are distributed and attached to different body locations rather than consolidating all functions in a single device, thereby reducing the complexity and weight at each attachment point while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-location multi-function device to a multi-location distributed measurement system. By adding the spatial dimension of distribution across multiple body parts (ear, neck, chest, etc.), the system achieves comprehensive biosignal coverage without concentrating complexity in one device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple biosignal measurement functions are integrated into a single device attached at one location, then the device can comprehensively measure diverse biosignals, but the weight increases, causing increased user stress and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device is segmented into multiple independent measurement units, each capable of measuring specific biosignals. These units are distributed and attached to different body locations rather than consolidating all functions in a single device, thereby reducing the complexity and weight at each attachment point while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If all sensors are attached at a single location, then the device structure is simplified, but it becomes difficult to obtain suitable waveforms for comprehensive biosignal analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidmeasurement quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different measurement units are attached to body locations that are locally optimal for measuring specific biosignals. For example, the ear is used for EEG, the neck for ECG and blood pressure, and the chest for respiratory signals. This local optimization ensures high measurement quality for each biosignal type while the overall system remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables suitable measurement of biosignals at their respective signal sources, reducing the number of sensors and device weight, thereby minimizing user stress and improving the measurement quality and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a biopotential acquiring part (12) provided with a biopotential sensor (18)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the bioinformation acquisition sensor (24) includes a photoelectric sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4609789A1Biosignal measurement device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SUNTORY HLDG LTD
  • EP4609789A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4609789A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4609789A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A biosignal measurement device able perform measurement at a suitable portion corresponding to the biosignal to be measured, that is, a biosignal measurement device to be worn by a user, comprising at least one earpiece housing 12 having a biopotential sensor and a board housing 16 having a photoelectric sensor 24 for acquiring a biosignal other than the biopotential as bioinformation, the earpiece housing 12 and board housing 16 being attached at separate portions of the user.